Reassuring Support From Jeanie Buss and Lakers GM, Darvin Ham Shuns Exit Rumors

Published 01/05/2024, 9:15 PM EST

Being a basketball coach comes with a lot of heat for a team’s underperformance. And while it is the Coach’s responsibility to make sure his team performs well, there might be some factors that are out of their hand. The Lakers Head Coach, Darvin Ham, is in this situation now.

Amidst all the booing and calls for resignation, Ham stands strong. Apparently, he has a solid reason too. Talking to reporters tonight, Coach Ham says, “Boss lady, Jeanie Buss and our President, Robert Pelinka, we are all aligned. As long as they’re not saying anything, I am good.”

Darvin Ham said he has the support of Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka and says speculation about his job performance “comes with the territory” in pointed pregame remarks Friday pic.twitter.com/DYOB7s3Zg3
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 6, 2024

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The Lakers are facing off against a refreshed Ja Morant-led Memphis Grizzlies tonight. While their previous matchup worked in favor of the Purple & Gold, seeing as how things are with the team, tonight is any man’s game. Facing one of the dismal defeats against the Miami Heat previously, it’s natural that LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be looking to make amends.

The Grizzlies are also coming off a loss against the Raptors. After going on a four-game winning streak with the arrival of Morant, Memphis has had hot and cold days. Therefore, they will be looking to get their winning ways back. While that happens, let’s delve a little bit deeper into Ham’s self-assurance.

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Pelinka is a ‘big believer’ in Darvin Ham

Brian Windhorst of ESPN reveals a major reason for the Laker’s coach’s confidence in his situation. In the recent episode of The Hoop Collective podcast, Windy discusses LA’s struggles with Bontemps and MacMahon. And amid such a discussion, he says, “I know that Rob Pelinka is a big believer in Darvin Ham.”

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Windhorst further explains that Pelinka gives props to Darvin for his contribution to helping the franchise in “last season’s struggles”. He also credits him for the In-Season victory. “It was his choice to hire him, which obviously marries you even more to a guy,” Windy adds for good measure.

But it’s become quite a well-known fact by now that there is a “disconnect between Ham and the Lakers locker room”. The different lineup changes and sudden changes to starters have all contributed to differences in opinion. The result is a heavy load on LeBron.

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Starting the season with the decision to play James in fewer minutes hasn’t exactly gone over so well. The Heat game saw him play for 38 minutes, finishing with 12 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Hopefully, Pelinka’s faith in his Coach and defense will bring him results soon.

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“Not only is there more to life than basketball, there’s a lot more to basketball than basketball” - Jackson had a simple philosophy when he was coaching the Lakers. He wanted everyone to succeed and grow in the service of something bigger than themselves. This is what struck me the most.

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Reassuring Support From Jeanie Buss and Lakers GM, Darvin Ham Shuns Exit Rumors

Pelinka is a ‘big believer’ in Darvin Ham

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